Those who live in the modest state of West Virginia don't like to brag, but there's so much going on there. That's why it's no surprise that West Virginia state universities provide students with interesting programs of study when they're not enjoying the state's vast landscape of culture and outdoors.

What West Virginia Colleges and Universities Have to Offer
Not only will living in West Virginia prove to be a good experience for many students, the state also gives residents the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, golf, whitewater rafting, and motor sports. When students are not participating in such amenities, they can study American history in West Virginia at sites and museums dedicated to the Civil War.

With 18 public universities and 11 private universities in West Virginia, there's plenty to choose from when it comes to attending West Virginia colleges and universities. These colleges range from comprehensive universities to practical technological institutions to medical schools.

And in this day and age, it's not strange to consider a eLearning program. In fact, a hybrid model -- of taking online courses and face-to-face classes -- is becoming more and more a pattern in the United States. The West Virginia Virtual Learning Network is comprised of 17 colleges and universities that offer students a wide range of educational programs.

Take it from Students at West Virginia Universities
You won't make a mistake by choosing to attend a school in West Virginia. Adam Pratt, a recent graduate of West Virginia University (WVU, Morgantown, WV), for instance, attests his experience at WVU was memorable. "It was really cool in part because of the program in which I was enrolled in -- it was fairly new and not what one would consider a typical course of study," he explains.

Adam's major: forensic and investigative science. Yes -- like the experts you've seen in the CBS show "CSI." "While my first two years of school involved lectures in cell and molecular biology, organic chemistry, and calculus, the final two years were more specialized and included classes in actual hands-on investigation, blood stain pattern analysis, latent fingerprints, and forensic photography," Adam recalls.

Cool, huh? While many other students on campus were taking notes in a classroom, Adam was on his hands and knees in a sterile jumpsuit and gloves combing through an abandoned car looking for evidence!

West Virginia Universities To-Do List
Your first stop should be Charleston, WV, one of the oldest and most scenic routes in the United States' Midland Trail. Just trust good ol' Route 60 -- the town offers a delightful 119-mile journey across south central West Virginia, which is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. You can head for the Greenbrier River Trail (80 miles of well-marked hiking and biking paths) or stop at various historic sites like the Old Stone House (a reminder of what life was like for industrial pioneers).

Don't forget about White Sulphur Springs. It's America's first-ever organized golf club. Living up to its tradition, the game on this course is still played using original hickory-shafted clubs and gutta percha balls. Sheep man the fields.

Remember the Cold War? Remnants of the era can be found at Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility. There's a Cold War Bunker that was built between 1958 and 1961 underground in town.

Intrigued by the amenities, history, and higher ed opportunities imbedded in West Virginia? Research West Virginia universities because there's even more to this state than meets the eye.

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